Board of Directors

A volunteer Board of Directors determines United Way’s strategic direction, advises and takes responsibility for financial decisions and the CEO’s performance. The Board members are accountable for achieving United Way’s objectives. In Central Alberta, the Board members come from business, government, social services and the public sector.

Board President

Josh Edwards – Scott Builders

Josh Edwards is proud to be a member of the United Way Board of Directors and support the great work the organization does. As a past Director and President of the Red Deer Construction Association, and a past Director of the Alberta Construction Association, Josh is no stranger to collaboration and the inner dynamics of a board. His previous experience will provide helpful insights for his new role within the United Way of Central Alberta’s board. Josh has been a leader within the Business Development team at Scott Builders since 2010 and has been involved in the Design and Construction of many major projects in and around the Red Deer area. In 2016 he was promoted to Technical Manager for a new division within Scott Builders that focuses in the more complex industrial, food processing, petrochemical and mining markets. When Josh is not focused on Scott Builders or UWCA business you will find him on the rugby field or immersed in various leadership roles with Red Deer Titans Rugby Club or enjoying the wonderful trails in Red Deer’s parks.

Vice Presidents

Laura Nycholat – TransCanada Corporation

Laura Nycholat has been a member of the United Way board since September 2014. Laura is currently a Senior Human Resource Consultant with TransCanada and brings 8 years of Human Resource and consulting experience working in oil and gas, professional consulting, agriculture, information technology, construction and international environments. Laura holds a Bachelor of Management Degree from the University of Lethbridge, a Queen’s Certificate in Organization Development Fundamentals from Queen’s University Industrial Relations Centre, a certificate in Human Resources from Grant MacEwan College, and is a member in good standing with the Human Resources Institute of Alberta. In her time away from work, you will find Laura at the local gym, dirt biking and camping in the nearby foot hills or skiing and snowmobiling in the Rockies.

Keegan McLevin – NOVA Chemicals

Keegan McLevin has been a member of the United Way board since May of 2017. Keegan is a professional engineer with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Calgary, and has been with NOVA Chemicals since September of 2014. Keegan’s current position with NOVA is the Capital Construction Team Leader at the company’s Manufacturing West facility in Joffre Alberta. Keegan comes to the UWCA with previous board experience including Central Alberta Manufacturers Association (President), Donald School of Business Industry Advisory Board, . Keegan and his wife Carmen are originally from Red Deer, and have three young boys; Tadhg, Macalan, and Dennett. Keegan enjoys golf and spending time at Sylvan Lake in the summer, while hockey and skiing are his sports of choice in winter.

Treasurer

Louis G. Digout – Cosmos Group of Companies

Louis G. Digout recently joined the United Way Board of Directors in June 2017. Louis moved to Red Deer in 2013 after living in Nova Scotia his entire life. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a degree in Chemistry. A number of years later, he switched careers to accounting and is currently a Chartered Professional Accountant working with Cosmos Group of Companies. Louis volunteered for numerous organizations while he resided in Nova Scotia, and is looking forward to becoming more involved in Central Alberta’s community. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing cards, playing board games, and being outdoors.

Board Members

Darlene Wilson – City of Red Deer

Darlene joined the United Way Board of Directors in June 2012, and lives in Lacombe, Alberta. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta and her Master’s Degree in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University (Spokane) in 2013. Darlene is currently a Community Facilitator with the City of Red Deer in the Department of Social Planning. She has a background in corporate leadership facilitation, secondary/post-secondary instruction (most recently at Red Deer College), and editorial writing. Her passions include intercultural travel, music, and sports with family and friends. She and her husband Ian have three teenage girls. She has loved the opportunity to work with others who share her passion for service.

David Miller – MEGlobal

David Miller has been a member of the United Way Board of Directors since March 2015. Davidwas raised in Lacombe and now lives in Red Deer with his wife, Maureen and two children, Olivia and Jonathon. After graduating from the University of Alberta in 1990 in Mechanical Engineering, he started working for Union Carbide at the Prentiss facility northeast of Red Deer where he now holds the position of Site Leader and Business Maintenance Leader for MEGlobal Canada Inc.. From early in his career with Union Carbide David has been a strong supporter of the United Way at the Prentiss Site leading several of the annual campaigns. Over the years David has been involved in numerous professional and non-profit board of directors and he hopes that he is able to leverage this experience to the benefit of the United Way.

Carlin Doeksen – Government of Alberta

Carlin Doeksen has enjoyed serving communities in Central Alberta since 2000. Carlin and his wife, Lori, began raising their three children in Stettler and moved to Red Deer in 2008. Carlin serves as Regional Caregiver Training Coordinator for the Government of Alberta, Central Region Child and Youth Services. He provides learning and development support to empower adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers across Central Alberta. His bachelor’s degree is in religious education. He is a Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP), credentialed ATD Master Trainer, current member of the Association for Talent Development, the Institute for Performance and Learning, and an Associate member of the Human Resources Institute of Alberta. The following are two ways that Carlin describes himself, “I have a passion for discovering unlimited individual potential in the context of vital learning organizations and communities,” and, “I am a husband, dad, and 2x Ironman finisher who is curious about everything and romantic about baseball.”